You’re bound to expect matured storytelling and nuanced characters from a director whose creative lineage is exemplary. Having woven stories around surrogacy in 2002 with Filhaal and the intricacies of the Indian judiciary with Talvar, Meghna Gulzar subtly etches the futility of war in Raazi.

“Aap log na rishtey samajhte hai, na jasbaat, “recounts a heartbroken Sehmat(Alia Bhatt) in one of the soul-stirring scenes of the film. While this is just an underlying theme of the otherwise patriotic spy thriller, the director-actor duo often leaves you with moments that shake you from within!

Sehmat is a simple young girl who is pulled into a confidential alliance with Pakistani soldier Iqbal(Vicky Kaushal) owing to familial duty. Sehmat must fulfil her father’s (Rajit Kapur) wish of living for the nation and thus begins her journey as a spy with a focussed and rather ruthless trainer, Jaideep Ahlavat. While tensions begin to build up between India and Pakistan just before the war of 1971, Sehmat is compelled to provide undercover information about Pakistan’s secret plans that eventually led to the Ghazi Attack. Camouflaging under the garb of a newly-wed, and risking her life every minute, Alia Bhatt’s Sehmat draws you in to her world so much so that your heart thereafter beats along with hers. You sense her vulnerability, embrace her courage, pulsate in her fear and eventually drench in her tears! She almost paints an emotional graph of the transformation of simplistic humans into ruthless individuals compelled by war and you cannot help but empathise with her as she breaks down in self-pity. “Isse pehle ki main bhi aap sab jaisi ban jaoon, mujhe yahaan se jaana hai…mujhse aur ek khoon nahi hoga” she exclaims poignantly in a powerful scene from the film.

Meghna’s careful hands handle an otherwise controversial story with utmost dignity. She cleverly turns your attention into the emotional journey of two individuals under the backdrop of war and patriotism. While an overtly dramatic and rather cliché climax could have been avoided, it’s only a minor hiccup in the otherwise compelling thriller. Meghna is also careful to leave emotions and sequences open to audience interpretations.

Shankar Ehsaan and Loy provide just the right tunes in the background that blend into the story with Gulzar’s soulful words, a refreshing Kashmiri folk song and a reverberating Ae Watan by Arijit Singh.

With a strong supporting cast, some edge-of-the-seat moments and two leading ladies (Alia and Meghna), Raazi makes for a perfect watch this weekend!

Mewar’s Rajput prince Maharawal Ratan Singh(Shahid Kapoor) is at once smitten by Padmavati (Deepika Padukone), Singhal’s charming princess who soon walks into Chittor as the Queen of Mewar. Envied for her beauty and her intellect by Ratan Singh’s first wife, Rani Padmavati also unknowingly evokes her charm onto priest Raghav Chetan. Chetan is ostracised for interrupting the couple’s privacy and in a fit of revenge, provokes the ferocious Sultan Alauddin Khilji to own the Rajput Kingdom along with its beautiful Queen. Battles both physical and intellectual are fought to possess the queen and also protect the gallantry of the Rajputs. But, when Ratan Singh is deceived and killed by Khilji, Rani Padmavati must uphold the Rajput valour by performing Jauhar(the ancient Hindu custom of mass-immolation) with hundreds of other women, thereby defeating Khilji’s purpose.

Bhansali’s grandiose is here to stay with exquisite costumes, lavish sets and (of course) splendid war scenes but lacks an overall essence of magic like his previous films. Nevertheless, be sure to find his signature in the chandelier scene(read Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) or a gigantic door that closes to leave the characters on either side(read Devdas).

Biting into the character just as he bites his meat, Ranveer plays Khilji with barbaric sumptuousness! While Khilji’s megalomania takes you by both awe and utter disgust, there’s seldom a spark between Ratan Singh and Padmavati’s characters. Deepika’s Padmavati shines in gorgeous costumes, intricate dance movements and expressive eyes but her core character often blends with Leela(from Ram Leela) or Mastani(from Bajirao Mastani). Little is invested in Ratan Singh’s character, who continues to glorify Rajput values in his dialogues, never hitting the right chord. However, Raza Murad and Aditi Rao Hyadri do justice to their special appearances.

The songs except for Ghoomar(already having done it’s fair share of rounds at most Indian weddings) are almost forgettable whereas the background score is decent. The jauhar scene is picturesquely shot while most other scenes that stay with you long after you’ve left the theatres belong to Ranveer Singh, who clearly is the man of the hour.

Padmavat is a one-time watch for its cinematic experience but more importantly for Ranveer Singh’s Allauddin Khilji who constantly asks you, “What if the antagonist was the hero?”

The flavour of an Imtiaz Ali film lies in its ability to engage and entertain as the audience journeys through the traveller’s(read character’s) experiences. The director’s latest offering is a pie that we’ve often tasted but one that’s gone wrong with disproportionate ingredients.

Jab Harry Met Sejal(much as it sounds like Jab We Met) tastes like most of Imtiaz’s films but unfortunately the exquisite locales obscure its pivotal characters. Harry(Shah Rukh) is Harinder Singh, the Punjabi tour guide who is forced to accompany Sejal(Anushka), the Gujarati chhokri, in finding her lost engagement ring across all of Europe. What follows is a trip to the pub, a night on the streets of Europe, an encounter with local goondas, role playing at a cafe in Budapest-blended with some singing and dancing. It’s soul searching in disguise for ‘what you seek is seeking you’. Been there? Heard that? Yes, we have. Be it free-flowing fun and frolic in Jab We Met or layers peeling off characters in Highway or even simplistic scenarios of arranged-love marriages in Socha Na Tha. Only that they were far more believable while this one fails to live up to the mark. That said, one cannot miss a few palpably-real moments created by Harry and Sejal with remarkable ease. Unfortunately, such moments are few.
Mr. Khan knows the Punjabi boy(now man) too well to go wrong with the accent or the mannerisms. And yes, given the non-swooning character(too), he manages to charm with those eyes and that dimpled-smile even today, even as that vulnerable bad boy. Anushka pulls off the Gujarati girl fairly well though you’ll find the Punjabi kudi in her popping out of that patiala as soon as she hears the bhangra tunes. Perhaps, that’s all that the wafer-thin narrative allows our capable actors to do. The saving grace for JHMS, is the irresistible camerawork by KU Mohanan, for you’ll find yourself embracing each little corner of Europe.

I cannot resist mentioning Irshad Kamil’s words, especially in Safar and Hawaayein, for he himself says(in phurr),’lafz na ho pyaar, balki aadat ho.’
What let’s you down as a film-fanatic is the fact that an entourage that screams out names like Shah Rukh Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Pritam, and even Chandan Roy Sanyal is left unnurtured. A trite plot and half-peeled characters leave no room for for a creative and talented team that is capable of delivering better.
I prefer to relish the flavours of the pies already digested(Jab We Met, Socha Na Tha, Highway encore )
P.S – For all the Shah Rukh fans out there(that includes myself) watch the latest interviews by Rajeev Masand and Anupma Chopra. These were featured as promotionals but carry repeat value for their wit, humour and those countless anecdotes shared by Mr. Khan.

Anurag Basu’s tribute to his father and gift to his children is an endearing tale but one with a few overdone twists and turns.
Jagga is Disney’s desi musical that poignantly tells the story of a young boy in search of his (foster) father. Basu takes no time to set the mood and you’ll know what you’re in for, right from fame one. Jagga Jaasos is a sincere attempt to allure and engage the little ones and transport them into the fascinating adventures journeying through thought provoking life lessons, socially relevant scenarios stirring up genuine emotions. However, a convoluted plot leaves us wondering if we could get more out of the father-son chemistry that is at times lost amidst the humdrum.
Ranbir is perhaps the best suited skin for Bollywood’s version of Sherlock Holmes. He emotes effortlessly and leaves you teary eyed in a few scenes.
Saswata Chatterjee has clearly found the Mr. Bagchi in him through Kahaani and Jagga. Saurabh Shukla too is true to his character.
Pritam’s album blends well with the musical. ‘Ullu le’ sticks on long after you’ve left the theatres. The song also marvels in Shaimak Davar’s neatly directed dance moves and quick witted words by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
The screenplay seems slightly dragged at times but Basu covers it up with his remarkable ability to involve the audiences in some lingering scenes.
Wait until the last frame for a hit and miss surprise.

Blend a few old and new Yash Raj flicks, loads of lip locking businesses, some stripping here and there, a dash of Punjabi tadka sprinkled with tonnes of over the top next gen (kewl)ness all served in exotic French crockery. Voila, that’s #Befikre in a nutshell!

While you cannot help spotting moments borrowed from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and of course the maa ki nasihat from DDLJ, all that Befikre has to offer is the mouth watering locations across France. The been there and done that Imtiaz Ali like plot has been turned to be ‘oh so bold’ and it makes lust turn into friendship and eventually love between Dharam(Ranveer) and Shyra(Vaani). However, unfortunately the countless French kisses and occasional stripping fail to bring out genuine fire and warmth (leave alone romance) between the couple!

What you get of course is a few good ol’ Yash Raj moments like the trumpet that goes Mehendi Laga ke Rakhna and of course some fresh and breezy music by Vishal and Shekhar that gets you swaying on your seats. Watch out for those perfect rhythmic camera moves by choreographer turned DOP Vaibhavi Merchant who makes Paris and little parts of France even more delicious!

Ranveer and Vaani do a decent job but only respectively. The spark of togetherness and the so called chemistry is clearly missing. This one’s meant for a popcorn watch or just in case you wish to prepare your itinerary for France, voila!!